Topic: RECOMMENDED CAR WAX
in Forum: C3 Car Care
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
The topic at the beginning of this discussion was for the best SHOW wax. That doesn't necessarily mean a great show wax is a long lasting wax.
Years ago I tried a wax called "Excalibur". It was expensive at the time...$5.00 if I remember correctly. I used it on the Studebaker Avanti I owned at the time (fiberglass like our Vettes). It was a pain to put on and buff off as it was a true paste wax. After I was done the car looked magnificent...it put a beautiful finish to the car. But...six weeks later the wax finish was gone, water no longer beaded up. And this was on a garaged car! Not even one that sat outdoors. It only got wet when I washed it weekly.
There was no way I was going to put that much effort into waxing my car every six weeks. I believe the wax I changed to at that time was one called Raindance...easy to use and lasted.
I know car care products have progressed far since that time (the mid-1970's). Most likely the least expensive private label car wax today is better than the best of that time period. When I say that I feel that Griot's Garage Best of Show Wax is the best I've ever used, it's true, but it's on garaged cars...I have yet to use it on my daily driver...still using Mequiar's Gold Class on that until it's gone. I can't say the Griot's is long lasting as I simply don't know. The cars I use it on stay garaged and driven for pleasure in good weather. I clay, polish and wax them once a year and I'm happy with the results.
An aside to the wax discussion...back in the 1970's I worked at a JCPenney Auto Center. We sold most of the good grades of car care products as well as the house brand. Consumer Reports back then did a test of car waxes and rated the JCPenney Green Jade car wax in their top group and said it was a "Best Buy". People started coming in and asking for it but by the time that review was printed, Penney's had discontinued it due to poor sales. It had truly ugly packaging which didn't help its sales, no matter how good a product it was. We had marked it down to 50 cents a can just to get rid of it...and who bought it all at that price? My Dad did...with my employee discount of course! He used it up on the painted metal lawn furniture to help protect them from the weather.
Years ago I tried a wax called "Excalibur". It was expensive at the time...$5.00 if I remember correctly. I used it on the Studebaker Avanti I owned at the time (fiberglass like our Vettes). It was a pain to put on and buff off as it was a true paste wax. After I was done the car looked magnificent...it put a beautiful finish to the car. But...six weeks later the wax finish was gone, water no longer beaded up. And this was on a garaged car! Not even one that sat outdoors. It only got wet when I washed it weekly.
There was no way I was going to put that much effort into waxing my car every six weeks. I believe the wax I changed to at that time was one called Raindance...easy to use and lasted.
I know car care products have progressed far since that time (the mid-1970's). Most likely the least expensive private label car wax today is better than the best of that time period. When I say that I feel that Griot's Garage Best of Show Wax is the best I've ever used, it's true, but it's on garaged cars...I have yet to use it on my daily driver...still using Mequiar's Gold Class on that until it's gone. I can't say the Griot's is long lasting as I simply don't know. The cars I use it on stay garaged and driven for pleasure in good weather. I clay, polish and wax them once a year and I'm happy with the results.
An aside to the wax discussion...back in the 1970's I worked at a JCPenney Auto Center. We sold most of the good grades of car care products as well as the house brand. Consumer Reports back then did a test of car waxes and rated the JCPenney Green Jade car wax in their top group and said it was a "Best Buy". People started coming in and asking for it but by the time that review was printed, Penney's had discontinued it due to poor sales. It had truly ugly packaging which didn't help its sales, no matter how good a product it was. We had marked it down to 50 cents a can just to get rid of it...and who bought it all at that price? My Dad did...with my employee discount of course! He used it up on the painted metal lawn furniture to help protect them from the weather.
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5189
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
[QUOTE=spielman5].. And remember when washing and waxing do it from front to back,
[/QUOTE]
Terry has the ticket here make sure you wax, buff, wash, wipe, etc from front to back to prevent swirls.
I use Meguiar's Liquid Gold on Tux primairly because I also use the detail mist when we go to shows or gatherings. This combo works well together.
On Tux's White Zombie I use Zaino. Previous owner used this so I'm stickin with it. It is smooth as glass and looks great on white.
I use several other Griots products and really like them as well. They have a huge product line for detailing cars that is absolutely super.
I have never used Liquid Glass but have wondered about this product. Mid America lists it and it sounds pretty good. Anybody out there try this one?
Tux's White Zombie
Norsky 2006-09-21 09:39:53

Terry has the ticket here make sure you wax, buff, wash, wipe, etc from front to back to prevent swirls.
I use Meguiar's Liquid Gold on Tux primairly because I also use the detail mist when we go to shows or gatherings. This combo works well together.
On Tux's White Zombie I use Zaino. Previous owner used this so I'm stickin with it. It is smooth as glass and looks great on white.
I use several other Griots products and really like them as well. They have a huge product line for detailing cars that is absolutely super.
I have never used Liquid Glass but have wondered about this product. Mid America lists it and it sounds pretty good. Anybody out there try this one?
Tux's White Zombie
(fixed the QUOTE - Norsky)
[QUOTE=spielman5]On my new paint job the painter said to use anything I want as long as it is pure Carnauba wax. ... [/QUOTE]
The fellow working on "BIGBRRD" also added to beware of any product containing silicone. The silicone will leech through the paint and into the fiberglass (or metal) and make it difficult for new paint to adhere. He said there are some products to draw the silicone out as the fiberglass (or metal) surfaces are being prepped but they weren't completely effective.
Yep, he is right. Silicone will do that. While silicone is a blessing for many things, it is evil in a body shop.
After reading all these response's I will quit using any of the wax's I have (quite a bit) that have silicone. I stripped the old wax off, clayed it and re-waxed my car. Hopefully, I didn't do any real harm that may effect a future paint job.
I've really narrowed it down to Zymol as my wax of choice. Their "Cleaner Wax" works great, not expense, easy on/off and leaves a real nice shine. I also use their "Detail Spray" in between waxing and that also does a great job.

Irving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
[QUOTE=warbird]After reading all these response's I will quit using any of the wax's I have (quite a bit) that have silicone. I stripped the old wax off, clayed it and re-waxed my car. Hopefully, I didn't do any real harm that may effect a future paint job. [/QUOTE]
What did you use to get the old wax off yer car?
, I didn't know about the Silicone..........
........I used some stuff with that in it on the C5.....



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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

Irving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
Yeah, wax helps the '69 and the clay bar. I've never used anything with silicone in it on the C3, just on the C5. Now I better get that off the C5.
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
in Forum: C3 Car Care
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